Wire-stretcher



(Model.) I

' H. WILLIAMS.

. WIRE STRBTGHER. No' 263,373' Patented Aug- 29. l1882.

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NTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HUGH WILLIAMS, OF APPLE RIVER, ILLINOIS.

Wl RE-STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 263,373, dated August 29, 1882.

Application filed December 16, 1881.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HUGH W1LLrAMs,a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Apple River, in the county of J o Daviess and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wire-Stretchers, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in implements or tools for stretching or tightening the wires offences, or for other similar uses.

My invention consists in an implement made of two parts, as shown, which parts are connected by a hinge and provided with abutting jaws, one of the parts being provided with a claw for drawing staples from the fence-post.

On the annexed drawings, Figure lis a side elevation of the wire-stretcher constructed in accordance with my invention, which view also shows the position of the tool in use. Fig. 2 is a plan or top view.

Ais the handleof my improved wire stretcher and tightener, which is secured to the implement by a suitable shank or tongue, c. The handle may be formed, if desired, by extending the shank to a suitable length. The end or part of the implement to which the handle A is attached is provided with a hinge-butt, b, and jaw B, as shown The end O of the lever is also provided with hinge-butts o o, which are connected to the butt b by a pintle or pivot, d. Above the hinge-butts c o the jaw D, with projecting lips e e, is formed, and the part C is curved, and its end is provided with a notch, j', so as to form a hammer-claw.

In stretching wire with this implement the curved end C, which is provided with the hammer-claw j', is placed against the fence-post, the jaws B D being in a vertical position. The wire, which is placed in the jaws either above (Model.)

or below the hinge, is kept in place by the lips c on thejaw D before pressure is applied. The handle is then drawn toward the operator, which movement causes the jaws to close and grasp the wire rmly without bending it. ln stretching a wire the requisite power is applied to the handle or moving end of the hinged lcver, the fence-post forming the fulcrum, and a pressure or grasp upon the wire is exerted in an equivalent ratio to the resistance of the wire being tightened, and the power applied, thus the hinge-jaws will grasp the wire so that it will not slip. The end of the lever O which bears against the tence-post is formed as a hammer-claw, and is adapted to withdraw the staples from the fence-post. It also furnishes the lever with a better hold upon the fencepost. It will be seen that the same movement of the lever both clamps the wire between the jaws and stretches it, and the construction of the implement is such that the wire when stretched is brought against the fence-post for the reception of the staples.

I am aware that it is not new to provide a lever with a recess and an eccentric clamp, or to terminate the same with a hammer-claw; but

vVhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A wire-stretcher composed essentially of two parts, which are hinged to each other and provided with clamping-jaws B D,one of the parts having a handle, the other part being provided with a jaw, D, with lips e c near one end and a claw,j', at the other end, substantially as shown, and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof l afx my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HUGH WILLIAMS.

Witnesses:

GEORGE FROST, GEORGE T. EADE. 

